President-elect Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that he might allow TikTok to remain operational in the U.S., highlighting the app’s role in his recent success among younger audiences.
The popular short-form video app faces a potential ban in the U.S. by January 19, pending a Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of a bipartisan law requiring TikTok’s sale by its parent company, ByteDance.
Trump’s comments signal a shift in tone, offering a potential lifeline to the app he once targeted.
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Speaking at AmericaFest, hosted by Turning Point USA, Trump noted TikTok’s impact on his campaign.
- “We did go on TikTok and we had a great response with billions of views,” Trump said to applause.
- He added, “They brought me a chart … and as I looked at it, I said, maybe we got to keep this sucker around for a little while.”
- Trump emphasized his growing popularity among young voters, a demographic his campaign actively targeted with podcast appearances and messaging tailored to young men.
Trump joined TikTok in June and quickly amassed 14.7 million followers. His embrace of the platform marks a stark contrast to his stance during his first term in office, when he issued an executive order attempting to block U.S. transactions with ByteDance, citing national security concerns.
This recent pivot is surprising given Trump’s historically tough rhetoric on China, where ByteDance is based.
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Trump’s remarks come as TikTok faces significant legal and political challenges:
- The Supreme Court will soon hear arguments regarding the app’s future in the U.S., a decision that could override any executive actions.
- The law targeting TikTok was signed by President Biden and supported by many Republican lawmakers, suggesting Trump may face resistance within his own party if he tries to reverse course.
Additionally, as president-elect, Trump lacks the authority to enact policy until his inauguration on January 20.
TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance, with the Supreme Court’s decision likely to shape its future in the U.S. Trump’s evolving stance on the app could signal a willingness to prioritize its cultural and political influence, but significant legal and political hurdles remain.
For now, TikTok’s users—and its 14.7 million Trump followers—will have to wait and see whether the president-elect’s comments translate into action once he takes office.
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